Photograph-album



(No Model.)

B. M.- HUNTER. PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM.

No. 496,976. Patented May 9,1893.

FIG.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RUDOLPH M. HUNTER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

PHOTOGRAPH-ALBUM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 496,976, dated May 9, 1893.

Application filed February 10, 1893. Eerial No. 461.781. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RUDOLPH M. HUNTER,

of the city and county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in Photograph-Albums, of which the following is a specification.

' My invention has reference to photograph albums, and consists of certain improvements which are fully set forth in the following specification and shown in the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof.

This application comprehends a structure especiallyadapted to hold cabinetorothercard photographs, and sustain the same in proper relative position without the employment of fixed perforated pages which have heretofore been required in which the card has been placed.

The object of my invention is to provide a suitable holder for photographs which are mounted upon cards which shall be most compact, durable, easily handled and ornamental in appearance. I have found, in practice, that my improved album will require only a small portion of the space for a given number of photographs heretofore required in the ordinary style of photograph albums.

In carrying out my invention, I employ a cover similar to any book or other suitable frame, and adjacent to the back thereof, I provide means secured thereto to which are attached in any suitable manner elastic loops which directly or indirectly hold the photograph cards in proper relative relation one on top of the other permitting easy insertion or removal, and at the same time allowing them to be freely turned like the pages of any book.

In my preferred construction I secure ordinary flat elastic bands to a metallic coil or spiral which is attached by suitable tapes to the cover of the book or frame adjacent to the back thereof. The spirals give all the elasticity required and the elastic bands are easily attached and are inexpensive. Fu rthermore, the elastic bands act as cushions between the faces of the adjacent photographs and prevent objectionable abrasion which otherwise might destroy the surface of the picture.

My invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in

which- Figure 1 is an end view of a photograph album embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the album opened without the' elastic band which maybe employed in place of that shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is an end view showing the preferred construction for securing the elastic bands in proper relative position. Fig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating another method of attaching the bands to the back of the book. Figs. 9and 10 are sectional elevations of modifications of the structure shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 11 is an end view of a modification showing the elastic bands secured to a solid back. Fig. 12 is a plan view of the solid back shown in Fig. 11. Fig. 13 illustrates another modified method of attaching the bands to the back; and Fig. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a still further modification of my invention.

A A are the two covers of the book and are secured at one end to the back B. These covers may be constructed in anysuitable manner such as in any book, or may be made' to correspond to any ornamental frame structure. In practice I prefer to provide the covers with a clasp G to hold them closed. A series of elastic bands E are secured to a spiral D, and through this spiral is passed a textile band C, which latter is secured to the cover or frame A as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. If desired, there may be an intermediate backing b between the spirals and the back B of the book, said intermediate backing being clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

The album is provided with two sets of bands arranged respectively near the top and bottom of the album as very clearly shown in Fig. 3 so as not to in any manner interfere with the picture. The photograph cards F are placed through the loops of the bands as very clearly illustrated in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, and are thereby clamped in position with respect IOU to the spiralD. If desired, two photographs may be placed back to back as indicated in Fig. 6. The bands E may be of covered or uncovered elastic, the latter being preferred on account of cheapness, and they may be secured to the spiral D in any suitable manner, several ways being shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7.

In the construction shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the band is passed under one of the upper transverse bars of the spring or coil and the other end drawn through the loop thus formed as is very clearly indicated at e in Fig. 5. The photograph card rests upon the elastic base so formed. By attaching the bands in this manner it is readily seen that a band may be removed and a new one inserted at any time without dismantling the album.

In the construction shown in Fig. 6 the band E is inserted upon the spiral wire before the tape 0 is inserted, and is locked in position by the insertion of the tape. In this case the band cannot be replaced without disconnecting the tape, removing it from the spiral, and after inserting a new band, replacing the tape again. The simplicity of the attachment of the band in the construction shown in Fig. 5 reduces the first cost of manufacture.

To obtain the advantages inherent in both of the constructions shown in Figs. 5 and 6 I prefer in manufacture to employ the construction shown in Fig.7. In this case I have a right hand and a left hand spiral D and D respectively. The tape 0 is passed through the spiral D. The endless bands E are quickly attached to the other coil or spiral D in the manner shown in Fig. 6. These spirals D and D are then pressed together and a uniting cord 0 is passed through so as to make them one structure. If it is required to replace an elastic band E at any time in the use of the album the cord 0 may be withdrawn to permit the coil or spiral D to be taken off and the band replaced. After reinserting this spiral D into the spiral D, a

new cord 0 may be inserted with the use of an ordinary darning needle.

In the construction shown in Fig. 8 the tap C is dispensed with, and in lieu thereof, a backing T is employed. This backing is arranged immediately back of the inner backing b which is of less width. The outer edge of the backing T is provided with a tapet and the parts T b t are secured together by rows of parallel stitching S which permits the ready insertion of transverse wires D which are passed through the elastic bands E as clearly indicated in this figure. The construction shown in Figs. 9 and 10 are in all material respects the same as that shown in Fig. 8 except that the parts 11, t, T 1n Figs. 9 and 10 shall be formed as an integral structure in the process of weaving.

In the construction shown in Figs. 11 and 12 a rigid back R is provided at each end with a series of parallel saw cuts 1', and into these saw cuts r a long continuous elastic tape is drawn in loops as is indicated in Fig. 11. The friction of the elastic in the saw cuts firmly hold it in position.

In the construction shown in Fig. 13 I have substantially the structure of Fig. 11, but in this case the elastic material forming the loops E is sewed, stapled, or otherwise fastened to a flexible backing or band C.

In the construction shown in Fig. 14 an elastic band is passed through the spiral very similar to what is originally done in the case of Fig. 5, and to the free ends is hooked a loop wire E which passes about the card of the photograph and thus holds it in position with freedom of movement. This construction permits the ready removal and replacing of any defective elastic band from time to time.

In any and all of these constructions which are given as types of my invention generically considered, I have the cards of the photographs themselves acting as the pages of the album, and said cards are secured to a suitable frame or backing by means of an elastic connection which permits their ready removal or insertion and freedom of movement for examination.

It will be observed that in all of the constructions Figs. 1 to 10 and 14 inclusive the frame or cover is provided with transverse wires which directly or indirectly hold the elastic bands in position by being passed across the material of said bands.

I do not confine myself to the details of construction herein. set out as it is evident that they may be greatly modified without departing from the essential features of the invention.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A photograph album having a cover or suitable frame, a series of elastic loops, supported parallel to each other and adapted to receive the photograph cards, and means to secure one end of each of the loops firmly to the cover or frame. I

2. A photograph album having a cover or suitable frame, a series of elastic loops sup ported parallel to each other and adapted to receive the photograph cards, and means to secure one end of each of the loops firmly to the cover or frame, consisting of a spiral or coil through which a tape or cord passes for securing the spiral to the said cover or frame.

3. A photograph album having a cover or suitable frame, a series of elastic loops supported parallel to each other and adapted to receive the photograph cards, means to secure one end of each of the-loops firmly to the cover or frame consisting of a spiral or coil through which a tape or cord passes for securing the spiral or coil to the said cover or frame, and an adjustable connection between the elastic loops and the spiral or coil whereby any elastic loop or band may be readily replaced when injured.

ICC

4. In a photograph album,the combination of a cover or frame, a flexible support secured to the said cover or frame, and aseries of elastic bands arranged parallel to each other and secured at one end to the flexible support.

5. In a photograph album, the combination of acover or frame, a flexible support secured to the said cover or frame, and a series of elastic bands arranged parallel to each other and detachably secured at one end to the flexible support.

6. In a photograph album, acover or frame, two spirals arranged near the edges of the back of the said frame and widely separated, and a series of parallel elastic bands secured to each of the spirals directly supporting the photographs and flexibly connecting them to the spiral.

7 In a photograph album, a cover or frame, spirals arranged near the edges of the back of the said frame and widely separated, a series of parallel elastic bands secured to the spirals directly supporting the photographs and flexibly connecting them to the spirals, and a detachableconnection between the said elastic bands and the spiral whereby any band may be readily replaced.

8. In a photograph album, a cover or frame, spirals arranged near the edges of the back of the said frame and widely separated, a series of parallel elastic bands secured to the spirals directly supporting the photographs and flexibly connecting them to the spirals, and a detachable connection between the said elastic bands and the spirals whereby any band may be readily replaced the said connection consisting of second spirals connected directly with the bands and also with the first mentioned spirals.

9. In a photograph album, the combination of the cover or back, a series of transverse wires arranged near the edges of the back, and a series of elastic bands held in parallel relation Within the cover by being looped about the transverse wires.

10. In a photograph album, the combination of a frame or support, two spirals arranged at a distance from each other and secured to said support, elastic loops projecting over said spirals and adapted to hold the cards of the photographs in proper relation with respect to the spirals.

11. In aphotograph album, the combination of the cover a series of parallel cards of uniform size, and a series of parallel elastic supports passing about the ends of the cards and flexibly connected adjacent to the back of the cover. 7

12. In a photograph album, the combination of the cover or frame, withaseries of parallel loops of elastic material of substantially uniform length projecting from said cover or frame for holding the cards of the photographs in close parallel relation whereby they are flexibly connected to the cover or frame.

In testimony of which invention I have hereunto set my hand.

R. M. HUNTER.

Witnesses:

ERNEST HOWARD HUNTER, HELEN L. MOTHERWELL. 

